Eales hoping to face Lions

John Eales, Australia's World Cup winning captain, today insisted he would be fit to face the Lions in the First Test on 30 June despite having to pull out of Queensland's clash with the tourists on Saturday.

Eales has been hampered by an Achilles problem all year and now the injury has removed him from what should be the toughest provincial fixture the Lions face.

Eales said: "I am determined to be fit for the Test and the injury has left me very frustrated because I wanted to play on Saturday.

"This will be, for many of the Queensland players, their biggest ever provincial fixture and those with Test ambitions are getting the chance to impress the Wallaby selectors."